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Rock Cats sink Defenders

May 29, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - Anthony Swarzak struck out 10 - tying a season-high - and the offense pounded out 16 hits as the Rock Cats sunk the Defenders, 10-6.

Swarzak (3-2, 4.18) appeared to be in trouble from the get-go, allowing a leadoff single to Ben Copeland and a double to Olmo Rosario (4-for-5). The right-hander came back to retire the next three-straight batters - two on strikeouts - to escape the jam. He went on to toss 5 2/3 effective innings, allowing three runs (2 ER) on seven hits. Jay Sawatski came on in relief and picked up where Swarzak left off as he retired seven of the first eight batters he faced.

Rock Cats first baseman Brock Peterson, who had been struggling at the plate of late, started things off with a double to leadoff the second. Matt Moses and David Winfree followed with back-to-back singles, with Peterson scoring on Winfree's hit to left field for a 1-0 lead.

The Defenders struck back in the top of the third. Travis Ishikawa delivered an RBI single to tie the game. A throwing error by Luke Hughes later in the inning allowed Ishikawa to score and put the Defenders ahead, 2-1.

Hughes made up for his earlier miscue with a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth that capped off a five-run inning and put the Rock Cats on top, 6-2.

Every Rock Cats batter in the lineup had a hit, with five players turning in multi-hit games. Dustin Martin went 3-for-5 for the Rock Cats, including an RBI double in the fourth and an RBI single in the fifth. Winfree also had three hits - two RBI singles and a double - on the night. Toby Gardenhire, Trevor Plouffe, and Peterson all had two hits apiece.

The Defenders made a late run in the top of the ninth. Sawatski walked the first two batters he faced in the inning and allowed three runs (2 ER) to score. Armando Gabino came in to stop the bleeding and close out the game.

Defenders starter Garrett Broshuis (4-5, 4.42) was struck for seven runs on 11 hits and one walk in five innings.

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